Lucinda Williams @ Barrowlands
tasteful arrangements prevent the gig from exploding. This is more a celebration of her success than evangelism.
| 12 Dec 2006
A capable songwriter, supported by a professional band and subtle country styling, Lucinda Williams casually blends sharp observation and gentle rock. The clear sound of the Barrowlands ensures that her tales of American life and consummate musicianship are exact: both heavier numbers and more subtle vignettes are given space and concision.
Her easy-going stage presence reaches out to the audience, and newer, fiercer numbers are greeted with the same enthusiasm as earlier songs: the rather polite performance showcases her guitarist's virtuosity and her lyrical detail. Her world weary voice, however, is bland and unsteady: tasteful arrangements prevent the gig from exploding. This is more a celebration of her success than evangelism.
While country music is re-inventing itself as Americana, and artists as diverse as Bonny 'Prince' Billy and Shania Twain are drawing on American folk music to energise their muses, Lucinda Williams provides a comfortable, competent and complacent soft rock. [Margaret Kirk]
Her easy-going stage presence reaches out to the audience, and newer, fiercer numbers are greeted with the same enthusiasm as earlier songs: the rather polite performance showcases her guitarist's virtuosity and her lyrical detail. Her world weary voice, however, is bland and unsteady: tasteful arrangements prevent the gig from exploding. This is more a celebration of her success than evangelism.
While country music is re-inventing itself as Americana, and artists as diverse as Bonny 'Prince' Billy and Shania Twain are drawing on American folk music to energise their muses, Lucinda Williams provides a comfortable, competent and complacent soft rock. [Margaret Kirk]